Process and apparatus for filling a container with food articles

Abstract

The invention concerns a process respectively an apparatus for filling a container with articles such as food, in particular meat, and a process respectively an apparatus for cooling articles and is characterised by repeating the following steps: (A) a first portion of the articles is conveyed with a conveying means, in particular a conveyor belt, having a conveyor outlet and is discharged into a container at a lower conveying speed such that a first portion accumulates in the container at the first location closer to the conveyor outlet; and (B) thereafter, a second portion of the articles is conveyed by the conveying means and is discharged into a container at a higher conveying speed, such that the second portion accumulates in the container at the second location further away from the conveyor outlet; as well as a process respectively an apparatus for cooling articles using said process and said apparatus for filling; as well as the articles processed by said processes respectively said apparatus. The control of the conveying speed allows for reducing the number of necessary surfaces of machinery with which the articles come into contact. The invention effects that the articles may be handled more easily in a clean way without the expense of non-uniform filling of the container. The process and the apparatus is particularly suited for homogenously and efficiently cooling articles using carbon dioxide particles.

1. A process for filling a container with food characterized by repeating the following steps:
 (A) a first portion of the food articles is conveyed with a conveying element having a conveyor outlet and is discharged into the container at a lower conveying speed, such that the first portion accumulates in the container at a first location closer to the conveyor outlet; 
 (B) thereafter, a second portion of the food articles is conveyed on the conveying element and is discharged into the container at a higher conveying speed, such that the second portion accumulates in the container at a second location further away from the conveyor outlet; and 
 (C) adding a cooling medium to the container, the cooling medium selected from the group of liquid nitrogen and solid carbon dioxide, wherein the cooling medium is added to the container either by:
 (1) adding the cooling medium to the first location when the first portion of articles are accumulating at the first location and adding cooling medium to the second location when the second portion of articles are accumulating at the second location; or 
 (2) adding the cooling medium to the first location when the second portion of articles are accumulating at the second location and adding the cooling medium to the second location when the first portion of articles are accumulating at the first location. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying speed is repeatedly adjusted between at least 3 different speed levels. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying speed is controlled in response to the amount of articles being conveyed and/or being accumulated in the container. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the articles are dispersed in the container using a deflection surface disposed at or above the container. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 4 , wherein the articles are dispersed sideways using the deflection surface. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 5 , wherein the deflection surface is at or above the container. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling medium is to the first location when the first portion of articles are accumulating at the first location and adding cooling medium to the second location when the second portion of articles are accumulating at the second location. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of added cooling medium is controlled in response to the amount and/or the temperature of the articles being conveyed. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of added cooling medium is controlled in response to the temperature of the articles and/or respective temperature distribution of the articles within the container. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the food is meat. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying element comprises a conveyor belt. 
     
     
       12. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying speed is repeatedly varied continuously within a range of speed levels. 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling medium is liquid nitrogen. 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling medium is solid carbon dioxide. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling medium is to the second location when the first portion of articles are accumulating at the first location and adding cooling medium to the first location when the second portion of articles are accumulating at the second location. 
     
     
       16. A process for filling a container with food characterized by repeating the following steps:
 (A) a first portion of the articles is conveyed with a conveying element having a conveyor outlet and is discharged into the container at a lower conveying speed, such that the first portion accumulates in the container at a first location closer to the conveyor outlet; and 
 (B) thereafter, a second portion of the articles is conveyed on the conveying element and is discharged into the container at a higher conveying speed, such that the second portion accumulates in the container at a second location further away from the conveyor outlet, wherein a mass distribution of the articles within the container is quantified using at least two sensors at the container and the conveying speed is controlled in response to the quantified estimated mass distribution. 
 
     
     
       17. The process of  claim 16 , wherein the conveying speed is controlled in response to an asymmetric weight profile of the container is used for controlling the conveying speed.